Police have arrested a man at the St. Albert Public Library who is suspected of vehicle theft and a theft from Servus Place lockers.
On Jan. 2 around 5 p.m., two men stole wallets and vehicle keys from the lockers at Servus Place. The duo made their way to the parking lot and drove away, then used the victim’s credit cards at various gas station across St. Albert.
The RCMP were later patrolling a known hot spot for criminal activity and saw one of the suspects in that locker theft driving a stolen truck. The RCMP tried to stop the stolen truck but it fled the area.
The man driving the truck was known to RCMP, who noted in a news release he is a prolific property crime offender.
On Jan. 5, the St. Albert RCMP received a tip from the public that one of the suspects in the Servus Place theft was in the St. Albert Public Library. The RCMP went to the library and arrested the man without incident.
Kalob Kochanoswky, 20, of Spruce Grove, was charged with three counts of motor vehicle theft, five counts of theft of a credit card, four counts of possession of property obtained by a crime, flight from police, break and enter, operating a motor vehicle while prohibited and failing to comply with previous release conditions.
Francois Derek Demarre, 20, of Lac La Biche is wanted for four counts of possession of property obtained by a crime and failing to appear.
Kochanoswky was remanded in custody and will appear in St. Albert Provincial Court on Jan. 27.
St. Albert RCMP say the thefts and frauds in this criminal investigation resulted from unlocked lockers and unlocked motor vehicles. The St Albert RCMP are reminding the community that we all have a part to play in preventing crimes, and simple changes can reduce the risk of break & enters, thefts and frauds. Locking up valuables while at the gym and keeping motor vehicles locked will help deter thieves. Residents are encouraged to follow the #9PM Routine.
